{"id":139352,"date":"2023-08-13T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-13T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/?p=139352"},"modified":"2023-08-14T14:01:32","modified_gmt":"2023-08-14T21:01:32","slug":"sean-watkins-shares-guitar-parts-behind-nickel-creek-songs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/sean-watkins-shares-guitar-parts-behind-nickel-creek-songs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Play Like Nickel Creek Guitarist Sean Watkins \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Acoustic Guitar Lesson: How to Play Like Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/szGeNqDUR2I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As Nickel Creek has ventured far from its bluegrass roots, Sean Watkins has developed a guitar vocabulary quite different from the classic boom-chuck, often employing partial chords, open voicings, hybrid picking, and other techniques. To shed light on his approach, I asked him about several standout tracks from <em><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3CawEHO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Celebrants<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first set of examples is based on \u201cStrangers.\u201d Capo at the second fret, and either use hybrid picking, as he does, or play fingerstyle. Nickel Creek arrangements frequently call for switching between individual notes and strumming, so hybrid picking eases the transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with the A7 in <strong>Example 1a, <\/strong>which is like a fifth-position A with the top three strings left open. Play the down-stemmed notes with the pick\/thumb and the up-stemmed notes with your fingers. In the verse, he dips down to Fmaj9\/A (<strong>Example 1b<\/strong>) and back up to A7. Then go to the Fmaj9\/A again and follow with the sequence in <strong>Example 1c,<\/strong> eventually moving up the neck to the tenth fret. Every one of these chords includes the open third string, creating a drone that holds the whole pattern together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Nickel Creek - Strangers (Official Music Video)\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qjBbnwDJHOg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The next example is based on \u201cHolding Pattern.\u201d True to its name, the song is built on a fingerpicking part on one chord that never changes. The album track has two interlocking parts: one is capo 2, as shown in <strong>Example 2<\/strong>; the other is capo 7 on a Nashville high-strung guitar. This song is a rare case of Watkins playing straight fingerstyle, with no pick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Nickel Creek - Holding Pattern (Official Music Video)\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ekd56l9JQMI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Example 3 <\/strong>is a small piece of the rhythm part from \u201cGoing Out&#8230;,\u201d an instrumental inspired by Swedish folk groups like V\u00e4sen. The meter here is in seven, and Watkins adds chiming chords below what he called the \u201ccrazy angular melody\u201d on mandolin and fiddle. He uses suspended chords like the Asus2 in many songs. \u201cThey\u2019re just different colors from the typical chord,\u201d he says, \u201cand adding a ninth without a seventh makes it sound less jazzy and more open.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Nickel Creek - Going Out... (Official Audio)\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WWwhpBK71FU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In a very different vein, <strong>Example 4<\/strong> is based on the minimalist, percussive accompaniment for \u201cStone\u2019s Throw.\u201d \u201cI like messing around with playing two notes on the guitar, and then singing the third note of what would be the chord,\u201d Watkins says. \u201cIncidentally, I started that [pattern] thinking about the Radiohead song \u2018Kid A,\u2019 and then it morphed into something else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Nickel Creek - Stone&#039;s Throw (Official Audio)\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1HPnYxThQMI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As in many Nickel Creek songs, \u201cStone\u2019s Throw\u201d breaks from this stripped-down part into full, loud strumming and back again. \u201cWe\u2019re conscious about letting songs grow and evolve and not staying for too long in one mode,\u201d Watkins says. \u201cIf something happens in one chorus, we want the next chorus to be a little different. Maybe that means getting louder. Maybe that means adding a new part or a new instrument comes in.\u201d In many of the album\u2019s big moments, Watkins overdubbed a baritone guitar to add heft.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the album\u2019s most intense tracks is \u201cWhere the Long Line Leads.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s meant to be a cross between something like an old bluegrass tune and garage punk,\u201d Watkins says. In <strong>Example 5,<\/strong> based on the beginning of the verse, let the top strings ring as you switch from E5 to E7sus4, Cmaj7, and E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Nickel Creek - Where The Long Line Leads (Official Music Video)\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vX2Liwa0Q7s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In Nickel Creek arrangements, every instrument has a very clear role, and every detail is carefully crafted. \u201cI mean, on this album, there\u2019s no chord voicing that wasn\u2019t 100 percent deliberate,\u201d Watkins explains. \u201cIt was all worked out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX1-3.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"786\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX1-3.png?resize=786%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Nickel Creek guitar lesson music notation sheet 1\" class=\"wp-image-139358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX1-3.png?resize=786%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 786w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX1-3.png?resize=230%2C300&amp;ssl=1 230w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX1-3.png?resize=768%2C1001&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX1-3.png?resize=460%2C600&amp;ssl=1 460w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX1-3.png?w=1081&amp;ssl=1 1081w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX-4-5.png?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"993\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX-4-5.png?resize=993%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Nickel Creek guitar lesson music notation sheet 2\" class=\"wp-image-139359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX-4-5.png?resize=993%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 993w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX-4-5.png?resize=291%2C300&amp;ssl=1 291w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX-4-5.png?resize=768%2C792&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX-4-5.png?resize=582%2C600&amp;ssl=1 582w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/AG341-SEAN-WATKINS-LESSON-EX-4-5.png?w=1084&amp;ssl=1 1084w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/products\/no-341-july-august-2023\" name=\"magazine link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 150px; height: 198px; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/001_341_Cover-150px.jpg?w=1290&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Acoustic Guitar magazine cover for issue 341\"><\/a>\n<p style=\"font-family: sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15px 0px;\">This article originally appeared in the <a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/products\/no-341-july-august-2023\">July\/August 2023<\/a> issue of <em>Acoustic Guitar<\/em> magazine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Sean Watkins photo by Josh Goleman<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Watkins has developed a guitar vocabulary quite different from the classic boom-chuck.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":141615,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"Watkins has developed a guitar vocabulary quite different from the classic boom-chuck.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1152],"tags":[1846],"ppma_author":[1559],"class_list":["post-139352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-play-like","tag-july-august-2023"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/sean-watkins-josh-goleman-photot-e1692046768767.jpg?fit=723%2C340&ssl=1","authors":[{"term_id":1559,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"jeffrey-pepper-rodgers","display_name":"Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/About-Us-8.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/About-Us-8.jpg"},"user_url":"https:\/\/www.jeffreypepperrodgers.com\/","last_name":"","first_name":"","job_title":"","description":"Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers, founding editor of <em>Acoustic Guitar<\/em>, is a grand prize winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and author of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3P3hwn9\"><em>The Complete Singer-Songwriter<\/em><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/collections\/instruction\/products\/beyond-strumming\"><em>Beyond Strumming<\/em><\/a>, and other books and videos for musicians. In addition to his ongoing work with <em>AG<\/em>, he offers live workshops for guitarists and songwriters, plus video lessons, song charts, and tab, on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/jeffreypepperrodgers\" target=\"blank\">Patreon<\/a>.\r\n"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139352"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":141617,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139352\/revisions\/141617"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/141615"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139352"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=139352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}